Several Democrats on list of possible challengers to Martha McSally in 2020

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 11:21 AM PT — Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018

Martha McSally is not even sworn into the Senate yet, and there is already talk of who will run against her in 2020.

Republican Governor Doug Ducey already told reporters he will not be the one to challenge her. McSally was appointed to the Senate by Ducey in December. This comes after the Arizona governor’s original appointee to fill in for the late John McCain, Jon Kyl, announced he is leaving the at the end of 2018.

U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., speaks, during a news conference Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, at the Capitol in Phoenix, after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, rear, announced his decision to replace U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz. with McSally in the U.S. Senate seat that belonged to Sen. John McCain. (AP Photo/Matt York)

One Democrat to possibly run against McSally is retired astronaut Mark Kelly, who is reportedly thinking about launching a campaign. Kelly and his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, are supporters of gun control in terms of background checks. Giffords was shot and badly hurt by a gunman in 2011 at a constituent meet-and-greet.

Another possible Democrat candidate is Grant Woods, who is a Republican-turned-Democrat, and McCain’s former chief of staff.

Congressman Ruben Gallego, who won his midterm race in November for a third term, is also thinking about running.

There is also Greg Stanton, who will be sworn into Congress in January to replace Kyrsten Sinema. Stanton was mayor of Phoenix until May, when he stepped down to focus on his congressional race.

The 2020 race will be held as a special election, with the winner facing reelection in 2022. McSally is scheduled to be sworn into the Senate on January 3, 2019.